In this insightful conversation, we sit down with Marcus Harvey, the entrepreneurial force behind Portland Gear, to dive into his journey from a passionate city enthusiast to a successful business owner. Marcus, balancing his role as a dedicated father with his entrepreneurial spirit, shares the evolution of Portland Gear from an Instagram page to a beloved regional apparel brand. His story is a compelling example of how personal passion can translate into professional success, especially in the dynamic world of e-commerce and direct-to-consumer marketing.
Marcus: Sure, Chris. I'm Marcus, and I always start by saying I'm a dad first. I have two little ones, a two-year-old and a four-month-old, who have been the highlight of my life in recent years. Before embarking on fatherhood, my journey was all about entrepreneurship. I've started, owned, and sold various businesses, diving into many exciting ventures. My main focus, however, is on Portland Gear, our apparel retail brand based in Portland, Oregon. It all started on Instagram in 2014. I began the page without a clear direction, sharing captivating images of the city and its events. With my background in screen printing and graphic design, I used this platform to build a significant following of people who love Portland, which laid the foundation for Portland Gear.
After gaining a considerable following, I introduced our distinctive 'P' logo featuring the state of Oregon and ventured into apparel. Our launch on Instagram in 2014 marked the turning point. On the first day, we made an unexpected $5,000 in sales, with no prior brand recognition. It was clear our designs resonated with people, sparking an immediate connection. Since then, my focus has been solely on growing Portland Gear. We've expanded to two retail stores and are set to open a third at the Portland International Airport, a significant achievement for us. Our team has grown to about 25, and we've shipped our products nationwide and to around 60 countries worldwide. Portland Gear has evolved into a regional apparel brand for those who are proud of their connection to Portland, whether they're locals, visitors, or former residents.
Marcus: Every business faces its own set of challenges. Having a background in graphic design certainly helped with the creative side. The real challenge, though, was introducing Portland Gear to the market and establishing our brand identity. This involved setting up pop-up shops around town, forming partnerships, and being present at various events to create meaningful interactions with our brand. It's been a constant hustle, evolving from establishing our retail presence to enhancing our e-commerce website. Currently, we're intensely focused on product development and innovation, ensuring our offerings remain relevant and appealing to our customers.
Marcus: Our marketing message has remained remarkably consistent since we started. It's about creating products and experiences that people are proud to wear and share. While the specifics of our products, the graphics, and the stories we tell might change, they always tie back to something happening in the city or something relatable to our audience. This steadfast focus has been crucial to our success and growing popularity. For instance, one collection might be inspired by Portland's spring and its flowers, while another could celebrate our NBA team, the Portland Trailblazers. We consistently innovate within our established theme to keep our brand fresh and engaging.
Marcus: Our distribution strategy revolves around direct-to-consumer sales, primarily through our website and retail stores. A significant addition has been our dedicated Portland Gear app, launched about 14 months ago. The app has become a key revenue driver, with around 15,000 downloads. It serves as a direct marketing channel, enabling us to engage with our consumers through push notifications, SMS, and exclusive app content. This platform allows us to create a more intimate connection with our audience, free from the distractions of other social platforms. It's like having our own version of the Nike sneakers app for Portland Gear.
Marcus: Cash flow is always a challenge in a growing business. For us, it involves managing larger investments in inventory as we scale. We've been profitable from the start, as the business initially was just me. I hustled until I needed help, then I brought on employees as we could afford them. This approach contrasts with some businesses that raise capital, hire rapidly, and then face burn rate issues. Our growth has been organic, expanding as needed. Managing cash flow and inventory investment are ongoing considerations, and as the business scales, we utilize various financial mechanisms, including lines of credit, debt financing, and exploring equity options.
Marcus: My motivation comes from a deep love for what I do and the city I represent. The pride in creating products I personally enjoy wearing and using is immense. It's the joy of learning, building, and innovating, whether it's developing new backpacks, shoes, or other products. Owning 100% of the business grants me the freedom to execute my vision and allows me to express myself creatively in various ways. This autonomy is incredibly valuable, as it lets me engage in partnerships, create new products, and organize photo shoots however I want. This creative freedom in my daily work is both fun and rewarding.
Marcus: This year has been another year of growth for us, with an increase in sales and customer engagement. Our storytelling and product quality have improved, leading to increased sales. We've opened a new store in the airport and upgraded our existing retail stores, marking our significant investments this year. Looking ahead, we're focusing on expanding into new product categories. We've been successful with hats, T-shirts, sweatshirts, and similar items, but now we're venturing into backpacks, luggage, shoes, and more. This expansion into new product lines is crucial for our strategy to scale and grow, allowing us to offer a broader range of products to our customers.
Marcus: For anyone starting out, passion is key. It's about solving a problem that's personal to you, and likely others share the same issue. This approach ensures that even on challenging days, your passion and belief in your product or service keep you going. You need to have an unwavering conviction in your vision and enjoy the journey, despite the inevitable difficulties. Focus on what you can do today that you didn't do yesterday, and build on that daily. This consistent effort, compounded over time, leads to significant achievements. Stay true to your narrative, be confident in your decisions, find joy in your work, and always look for the silver lining in every situation.
Chris: Thanks a lot, Marcus, for this great chat. Your journey with Portland Gear is really inspiring. It's cool to see how your love for Portland turned into a successful brand. Your tips for new entrepreneurs are super helpful, too. Best of luck with everything coming up for Portland Gear!
Marcus: Thanks for having me, Chris. Happy to share my story.
